Grad Nite’ effort brings Melrose family full circle

Friday

Mar 21, 2014 at 7:58 PMMar 21, 2014 at 7:58 PM

When Melrose educator Steve Turner proposed a sober celebration to keep graduating seniors safe, he had no idea it would trigger a real-life, full-circle moment for Melrose mom Jenn Leyne and her daughter, Emma.Leyne, a native of South Portland, Maine, attended the Class of 1984 chemical-free event."We had seven kids near my town die, during my years in high school, and it was awful," the mom of two remembers. "I think I realized that going to the overnight meant my friends and I would live through graduation."Leyne is all the more grateful that Melrose is embracing a substance-free celebration because her daughter, Emma, a senior, is participating in the inaugural Melrose Grad Night on May 30."I'm glad she's getting a chance to make her own memories with her friends and they will be safe one last time," Leyne says. "I know she'll look back and think, ‘remember when?’"Overnight substance-free events have gained nationwide recognition in the struggle against alcohol-related fatalities. Data gathered by the national highway safety administration projects more than 300 teens die annually in substance-related car accidents during this period and a SADD.org poll of teens suggested that a majority of students will choose to drink and drive while attending prom or graduation.And in Melrose, the just-released youth risk behaviors survey indicates that in the 30 days prior to the survey, as much as 19 percent of MHS students have ridden in a car with driver who’s been drinking, and as many as 48 percent have used alcohol themselves. Though just under the state’s average, these figures are alarming nonetheless, and the risks only increase during prom and graduation season.Melrose Grad Night sprung from a high school PTO meeting centering on decision-making and teen safety during a statistically dangerous time of year, spring."We watch the news, we know that nationally, more young people between the ages of 16 and 20 are injured or killed between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in May and June than during any other time. We want to do everything we can to prevent that, but it really starts with the kids, seeing that they can enjoy this event, safely," says Grad Night Committee Chairman Michelle Carson. "We offer the chance to celebrate inclusively, in a chemically-free environment. They just have to take it. We want them to be able to attend their five-year reunion."The event has been supported by the entire community: Organizations, individuals, business and the city government have shown enthusiastic support. The Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition directed $4,000 in federal grant funding to kick off the fundraising."The support and financial backing from local businesses has been astounding," Carson continues. "They (businesses) have been on board from day one and understand the importance of showing these kids that we value them."With just three short months to go, the committee is gearing up for the event."Our big push right now, is to get adults to volunteers on May 30," says the committee chairman. "It takes a tremendous amount of manpower to make this a success — to turn this celebration into a legacy. A night to remember, and substance-free, they'll remember it!"Anyone interested in helping out now or on May 30 can email melrosegradnightchair@gmail.com or can sign up directly on the group's website at melrosegradnight.org.